Italian
Pasta with Broccoli
by Cucina con Simone · 162K subscribers on YouTube
An innovative vegetarian pasta with broccoli, leek, homemade béchamel, and toasted nuts. Simple yet bursting with flavor.
- Difficulty
- easy
Ingredients
16 items- Broccoli1 large head, separated into florets; stem reserved and thinly sliced
- Leek1 whole leek
- Olive OilA splash for the pan
- Garlic1 clove, optional but recommended
- SaltTo taste
- Black PepperTo taste
- Peperoncino o Tabasco(optional) — Optional, for heat
- HazelnutsA handful, chopped
- CashewsA handful, chopped (part of the nut mix)
- WalnutsA handful, chopped (part of the nut mix)
- 1/2 cupMilkWhole milk recommended
- 1 tbspFlourAll-purpose flour
- NutmegTo taste (freshly grated recommended)
- Parmigiano ReggianoTo taste, grated
- PastaShort pasta like penne or rigatoni, about 320g for 2 servings
- Pasta Cooking WaterReserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency
Method
- Break the broccoli into large chunks and place in the microwave with the whole leek. Steam for 10–12 minutes, or boil in a pot if you prefer.
- Meanwhile, slice the broccoli stem thinly. In a pan with a little olive oil, toast the sliced stem with salt and pepper until browned and crisp.
- Add a mix of chopped hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts to the pan and toast together. Set the toasted mixture aside.
- Remove the steamed broccoli and leek from the microwave. In the same pan, heat a little olive oil with garlic, then add the broccoli and leek. Season with salt and cook for 2–3 minutes over medium-high heat, allowing the bottom to caramelize.
- In a small bowl, whisk together half a glass of milk and 1 tablespoon of flour until smooth.
- Pour the milk mixture into the pan with the vegetables. Stir to create a béchamel sauce. Add nutmeg, salt to taste, and let it thicken. If too thick, add some pasta cooking water.
- Add the cooked (al dente) pasta and a splash of pasta water. Mix well to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve the pasta and top with the reserved toasted broccoli stem and nut mixture.
Cucina con Simone
Home cook162K subscribers on YouTube41.4M total channel viewsBenvenuti nel canale dello Chef Simone! Qui condivido ricette della tradizione italiana e creazioni ispirate dalla mia esperienza internazionale. Il mio obiettivo è aiutare tutte le famiglie a cucinare piatti indimenticabili, senza spendere una fortuna, utilizzando prodotti facilmente reperibili nei supermercati di tutto il mondo. Se amate la buona cucina, scoprire sapori autentici e imparare trucchi e consigli semplici, questo è il canale giusto per voi. Unisciti a me in questa avventura culinaria e porta il gusto in tavola con soddisfazione e facilità!
